| Abstract: | Audits of clinical transfusion practice have consistently demonstrated deficiencies in knowledge and practice that impact on patient safety and in some cases result in death. These deficiencies include transfusion being prescribed inappropriately, administration of blood components using poor processes, documentation deficiencies and inadequate identification of potential transfusion recipients. Improvement needs to be driven by a multifaceted approach that includes robust systems and mechanisms to ensure compliance combined with education of staff. However, education of medical, nursing and other staff involved in the transfusion chain can be difficult. Large numbers of staff, shiftwork, varying levels of background knowledge and limited resources create significant challenges. Consideration of these problems and informal needs analysis defined a web‐based or on‐line learning tool (e‐learning) as being a suitable mechanism to assist hospitals to increase knowledge of staff. An effective e‐learning tool must be engaging, replicate an authentic learning environment, cater for various learning styles and engage the learner in the learning process. This requires knowledge of on‐line learning best‐practice, learner profiles, learning styles and the learning environment, as well as consideration of interface design, motivational tools and knowledge retention strategies. Funding was provided by the South Australian Department of Health, under the BloodSafe programme, to develop an e‐learning tool. This has resulted in a multimedia‐rich programme utilizing video, audio, animations, and case studies and didactic instruction in order to create an authentic learning environment. Learning content includes expert and peer education, case studies, interactive games and puzzles and modelling of best‐practice processes. A flexible learning pathway gives learners control over learning sequence, content viewed and assessment. Learner demographics, progress and assessment tools and records are stored in an SQL database. This tool is available for use by hospitals and healthcare institutions and professionals. Initial use has demonstrated a high degree of acceptance with participants providing strong feedback on the content, learning pathway and ease of use. Further development is being undertaken to add additional modules offering advanced content and/or a broader audience base. The initial implementation of this e‐learning tool is directed at an Australian audience, however, the content is relevant to the wider transfusion scene in the Asia‐Pacific region (and beyond) as a mechanism for educating staff involved in all steps of the transfusion chain. |
